Californian pleads guilty in RV full of cocaine case

A California man who was in an RV with more than 200 pounds of cocaine when it was stopped in McLean County pleaded guilty Wednesday to drug-dealing charges.

Steven Schneppershoff, 39, of Torrance, Calif., pleaded to one count of possession of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute, a felony that could send him to prison for at least 10 years and possibly up to life.

A California man who was in an RV with more than 200 pounds of cocaine when it was stopped in McLean County pleaded guilty Wednesday to drug-dealing charges.

Steven Schneppershoff, 39, of Torrance, Calif., pleaded to one count of possession of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute, a felony that could send him to prison for at least 10 years and possibly up to life.

He is to be sentenced on Nov. 12 by U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm. Schneppershoff agreed to forfeit his stake in any property seized by the government, including the RV and any cash found inside.

On April 22, Schneppershoff and Jeff McWhorter, 33, of Downey, Calif., were in an RV that was stopped on Interstate 55. Police said they found 238 pounds of cocaine, worth up to $3.7 million.

McWhorter and Schneppershoff, who are half brothers, allegedly told police they were paid by a man they knew as "El Gordo" to drive the RV to Joliet.

According to court records, the half brothers were approached again to drive the RV, this time transporting the cocaine in five duffel bags. They were to meet an associate of "El Gordo," who turned out to be Manrique Rivera of Romeoville.

A search of Rivera's house found he had about $550,000 in cash, the complaint states.

McWhorter pleaded guilty to the same counts and will be sentenced Nov. 12.